Person Of Interest Taken Into Custody After Juvenile Grabbed, Cellphone Stolen: Palatine PD

The person was detained after a brief foot pursuit with officers and detectives.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Following a brief foot pursuit, a person of interest was taken into custody in Palatine, Illinois after an incident where an unknown man reportedly approached and grabbed a juvenile, before taking their cellphone. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. on Monday morning in the 200 block of West Wood Street.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about public safety and the security of minors in the Palatine community. The police are actively investigating the situation and dedicating significant resources to the effort.

The details

According to Palatine police, the person involved in the incident is described as a Black male in his 20s with beard stubble. The juvenile is safe, and police are reviewing evidence including surveillance video and other digital imaging as part of the ongoing investigation.

  • The incident occurred around 7 a.m. on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The person of interest was detained at 11:30 a.m. the same day in the 200 block of West Wood Street.

The players

Palatine Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the incident and detaining the person of interest.

Juvenile

The victim who had their cellphone stolen by the unknown man.

Unknown Man

The person of interest described as a Black male in his 20s with beard stubble, who approached and grabbed the juvenile before stealing their cellphone.

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What they’re saying

“Police, who said the juvenile is safe, are actively pursuing leads in the ongoing investigation. Residents in the area may see an increased police presence. Detectives are reviewing evidence, including surveillance video and other digital imaging, and dedicating "significant" resources to effort.”

— Palatine Police Department (patch.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the person of interest to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement to ensure the safety of minors in the Palatine area. The police's dedication of significant resources to the investigation demonstrates their commitment to addressing this public safety concern.